WHEN the bell rings from George and Rose Alleeson’s room at a Bollington nursing home, the staff know it must be important because the happy couple rarely complain.

The inspirational pair – both great-grandparents in their nineties – say that never grumbling is the key to their blissful relationship. And with 70 years of marriage under their belts, who are we to argue?

After just a few minutes with the long-devoted lovebirds at Mount Hall Nursing Home, it’s crystal clear their happy-go-lucky attitude has done them the world of good.

Sprightly George, 92, is consistently smily and upbeat – and cracks jokes of his displeasure at not having a double bed in their room.

Clasping Rose’s hand, George said: "It can’t be bad if after all this time we still look after each other and can still have a cuddle. I would like a double bed in here, we only have two single beds pushed together, but we are used to having a double."

The great-grandfather of four, who worked for London Transport as an electrical draftsman all his working life, has love all figured out. He said: "It’s important to be good friends and always have a smile on your face."

Rose, 94, who was a council worker in London after their two children had grown up, confirmed: "We still look after each other just like the day we were married. And if we do grumble, we only grumble to ourselves."

For the awe-inspiring landmark of their platinum anniversary, the couple enjoyed a big bash at the Flash Lane nursing home, where they have lived for two years.

The party was attended by Bollington mayor Councillor Brenda Lingard, and the gathering of friends and family included their bridesmaid, who was four years old at their 1938 wedding, and George’s cousin, John Alleeson, who they hadn’t seen for 40 years.

George and Rose proudly display their anniversary card from the Queen – although such telegrams are practically old hat after receiving a royal greeting for their 60th anniversary.

The loved-up Londoners, originally from Dulwich, are grandparents and great-grandparents of four, with two more grandchildren on the way. They met at a church youth club and, after marrying in their home town, the twosome took on a trip from London to Blackpool on a tandem.

Daughter Valerie Young, 65, from Knutsford, sister to David Alleeson, said: "It’s a great story. Dad was always a keen cyclist and they went on the tandem to visit mum’s sister, Amy. It took them about three days to get there and they cycled all the way back too."

The couple lived in Eastbourne from 1971 to 2002, where they enjoyed walks together along the sea front and played bowls into their eighties. They moved to Knutsford to be closer to Valerie before settling in the Bollington home.

Rose said: "We like it here, the staff are very nice and it’s a lovely old place."

And nursing home coordinator Pam Haydock says the lovely couple are hugely popular among residents and staff alike. She added: "We are very fond of George and Rose, they are both very lively and take part in all the activities. Seventy years of marriage is amazing and very rare, we have certainly never seen a platinum wedding here before. We had a big party to celebrate and George was hoarse the next day from singing so loudly."

Pam said that they do not have requests for a double bed from their married couples very often, but that if George formally asked for one, they would do their best to accommodate it.

Pam added: "George and Rose are never without each other and are very affectionate."